Questions & Answers about De anser det svårt att förklara metoden.
Why do we need the word det in this sentence?
The word det acts as a placeholder, also known as a formal object. It steps in to receive the action of anser (consider) because the real object is the whole infinitive phrase att förklara metoden (to explain the method). We use det early in the sentence so we can give the evaluation svårt before revealing the actual action.
Why is it svårt with a -t and not svår, even though metoden is an en-word?
The adjective svårt describes the placeholder det, not the noun metoden. Since det functions as a neuter word, the adjective must take the neuter -t ending. It is the whole action of explaining that is considered difficult, not the method itself.
Shouldn't there be an är (is) after det?
No, it is not needed here. With verbs like anser (consider), kallar (call), or gör (make), you can connect the object directly to the adjective describing it. This directly matches the English structure: "They consider it difficult" rather than "They consider it is difficult."
Can I use tycker instead of anser here?